Subaru Ascent SUVs Recalled. Automaker Advises Owners to Park Outside and Away From Structures.
An electrical component may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire
Subaru has announced the recall of more than 271,000 Ascent SUVs from the 2019 to 2022 model years because the bolt that secures the positive ground terminal on a component may not be properly tightened. This could result in the ground terminal and surrounding components melting, which increases the risk of a fire.
Because of this fire risk, Subaru has said:
- As a precautionary measure, it is highly recommended that owners park their vehicle away from any garage, carport, or other structure until this repair is completed.
- Owners should never leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running until this repair is completed.
- If an owner notices or smells smoke coming from the dash or driver’s footwell area, the ignition should be placed in the “off” position and the vehicle should not be operated. If this occurs, the owner should immediately contact Subaru’s Roadside Assistance or the nearest Subaru dealer for assistance.
Subaru has said that it is aware of 11 technical reports of this problem happening in the U.S. market. The automaker added that it is not aware of any crashes or injuries associated with the condition.
The Details
Vehicles recalled: 271,694 Subaru Ascent SUVs from the 2019 through 2022 model years.
The problem: A bolt that secures the ground terminal of the positive temperature coefficient heater, which is part of the climate system, may be improperly fastened. This could lead to the terminal and surrounding components melting, increasing the risk of smoke or a fire.
The fix: Subaru dealers will replace the bolts for the ground terminal and, if necessary, replace the ground wire and connector holder, all free of charge.
How to contact the manufacturer: Owners will be notified by mail beginning Feb. 6, 2023. Owners can contact Subaru’s customer service department at 844-373-6614. Subaru’s number for this recall is WRL-22.
NHTSA campaign number: 22V907
Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.
If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have any open recalls. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly to see whether your vehicle has had a recall issued.
